CCN key terms

A structured head-to-toe assessment of muscle mass, fat stores, skin, hair, nails, and mucosa used to detect nutrient deficiencies and depletion. Findings are interpreted alongside history and laboratory data rather than in isolation.

A validated clinical tool that classifies nutritional status as well nourished, moderately malnourished, or severely malnourished. It combines weight change, dietary intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, functional capacity, and physical findings.

Involuntary reduction in body weight over time, often expressed as a percentage of usual body weight. Loss exceeding 5 percent in one month or 10 percent in six months signals clinically meaningful malnutrition risk.

A screening ratio of weight in kilograms to height in meters squared. It stratifies underweight, normal, overweight, and obesity categories but does not distinguish muscle from fat or reflect fluid status.

Age-related or disease-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. It impairs mobility, raises fall and fracture risk, and can coexist with obesity, so screening requires function testing as well as muscle measurement.

A simple dynamometer measure of maximal handgrip force used as a proxy for overall muscle strength. Low values predict frailty, postoperative complications, and functional decline in clinical and older adult populations.

A bioelectrical impedance parameter reflecting cell membrane integrity and body cell mass. Higher values generally indicate healthier cell membranes and nutritional status; lower values accompany malnutrition, inflammation, and disease severity.

A method estimating body composition by measuring resistance to a small alternating current. Accuracy depends on hydration and electrolyte status, so results must be interpreted cautiously in edema, ascites, or acute illness.

The most abundant plasma protein, commonly ordered in nutrition assessment. It is a negative acute-phase reactant, so low values may reflect inflammation, infection, or liver disease rather than protein intake alone.

A short-half-life transport protein sometimes used to monitor nutritional repletion. Like albumin, it falls with inflammation and stress, so it is not a reliable standalone marker of nutritional intake.

An acute-phase protein that rises with inflammation and infection. Tracking it alongside nutritional markers helps distinguish inflammation-driven hypoalbuminemia from true protein-energy malnutrition.

Physical findings linked to specific nutrient shortages, such as glossitis, angular stomatitis, koilonychia, Bitot spots, or peripheral neuropathy. Recognizing them directs targeted laboratory testing and supplementation.

An interview method in which a client reports all foods and beverages consumed in the previous day. It is quick and low burden but depends on memory and may not represent usual intake.

A structured survey asking how often and in what amounts a person consumes listed foods over a defined period. It captures habitual intake well but relies on recall and requires validated food lists.

A family of nutrient reference values including estimated average requirement, recommended dietary allowance, adequate intake, and tolerable upper intake level. They guide individual and population nutrient planning and assessment.

The average daily intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all healthy individuals in a life-stage and sex group. It is set above the estimated average requirement to provide a safety margin.

The highest average daily nutrient intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects in almost all people of a given group. Exceeding it, often through supplements, raises risk of toxicity.

A collaborative, client-centered counseling style that strengthens personal motivation and confidence for behavior change. It uses open questions, reflective listening, and affirmation rather than advice-giving or confrontation.

A framework describing readiness to change as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and sometimes termination. Interventions are matched to the client's current stage to reduce resistance.

A person's belief in their capacity to execute a specific behavior successfully. Strong self-efficacy predicts adherence to diet and exercise plans and can be built through mastery experiences and modeling.

A set of strategies teaching clients to anticipate high-risk situations, cope with lapses, and return to plan without abandoning goals. It frames slips as learning events rather than failures.

Behavior objectives written to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Well-formed goals make progress observable and support accountability in nutrition counseling.

Systematic recording of behaviors such as food intake, physical activity, or body weight. It raises awareness of patterns and is consistently associated with improved adherence and weight management outcomes.

Managing the amount of food served and eaten at a meal using measured servings, smaller plates, or pre-portioned foods. It helps align energy intake with estimated needs without rigid restriction.

The relationship between energy consumed from food and energy expended through metabolism and physical activity. Positive balance favors weight gain; negative balance favors weight loss over time.

The energy cost of digesting, absorbing, and metabolizing nutrients, roughly 10 percent of total daily expenditure. Protein has the highest thermic effect among macronutrients.

The energy required to maintain vital functions at rest in a thermoneutral environment. It typically accounts for the largest share of total daily energy expenditure and is influenced by body composition and thyroid status.

An eating pattern emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, fish, and moderate dairy, with limited processed foods. It is associated with lower cardiovascular and metabolic risk.

Nondigestible carbohydrates from plants, including soluble and insoluble types. Fiber supports glycemic control, lowers cholesterol, promotes satiety, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria.

A ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods by how quickly they raise blood glucose compared with a reference food. Lower-index choices can improve postprandial glucose control, especially in diabetes.

Providing nutrients in concentrated form, such as oral nutrition supplements, vitamins, minerals, or enteral formulas, to correct or prevent deficiencies when food intake is inadequate.

A commercially prepared drink, powder, or bar delivering energy, protein, and micronutrients. Used between meals or as meal replacement to improve intake in malnourished or at-risk patients.

Delivery of nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract via tube, preserving gut function and mucosal integrity. It is preferred over parenteral routes when the gut works and can be safely used.

Intravenous provision of nutrients, including amino acids, dextrose, lipids, electrolytes, and micronutrients, bypassing the gut. It is reserved for intestinal failure or when enteral feeding is contraindicated or insufficient.

A potentially fatal shift of electrolytes, especially phosphate, potassium, and magnesium, after reintroducing nutrition to a malnourished patient. Careful calorie advancement and electrolyte monitoring are essential.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function. Deficiency causes beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy, and risk rises with alcohol misuse, prolonged vomiting, or refeeding.

A change in nutrient absorption, metabolism, or drug effect caused by concurrent use of foods, supplements, or medications. Examples include warfarin and vitamin K or calcium and certain antibiotics.

The proportion of an ingested nutrient that is absorbed and available for physiological use. It varies with food form, processing, competing compounds, and individual digestive capacity.

The cytoplasmic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating ATP and NADH. It provides rapid energy and links to mitochondrial oxidation or lactate production depending on oxygen availability.

The mitochondrial sequence that oxidizes acetyl-CoA from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, producing NADH, FADH2, and carbon dioxide. These carriers feed the electron transport chain for ATP synthesis.

The electron transport chain and chemiosmosis process in mitochondria that produces most cellular ATP. It requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor and is sensitive to nutrient cofactors and toxins.

Reduced responsiveness of tissues, especially muscle, liver, and fat, to insulin signaling. It drives compensatory hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and progression toward type 2 diabetes.

Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen, such as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, generated during metabolism. Excess levels cause oxidative stress that damages lipids, proteins, and DNA.

Endogenous enzymes and dietary compounds that neutralize reactive oxygen species and limit oxidative damage. Key players include glutathione, superoxide dismutase, vitamins C and E, and selenium-dependent enzymes.

Metabolites such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber. They nourish colon cells, modulate immunity, and influence glucose and lipid metabolism.

The diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract. It influences digestion, immune maturation, barrier function, and host metabolism through multiple pathways.

The regulated ability of the gut lining to allow or restrict passage of substances between cells and across tight junctions. Excessive permeability can permit bacterial products into circulation and trigger inflammation.

The set of metabolic pathways that build larger molecules from smaller precursors, consuming energy. It underlies tissue growth, protein synthesis, and repair, and is favored by adequate energy and amino acids.

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones to release energy and provide building blocks. Excessive catabolism during illness or fasting depletes muscle and fat reserves.

The anabolic process by which amino acids are assembled into muscle proteins. It is stimulated by protein intake, particularly leucine-rich sources, and by resistance exercise, and blunted by inactivity and inflammation.

A branched-chain amino acid that acts as a key signal triggering muscle protein synthesis. Adequate per-meal leucine intake supports muscle maintenance, especially in older adults.

The coordinated replacement of damaged cells and structures to restore organ function. It depends on stem cell activity, adequate protein and micronutrients, controlled inflammation, and sufficient blood supply.

The overlapping stages of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling that restore injured tissue. Nutrition supports each phase, notably through protein, vitamin C, zinc, and adequate energy.

The production and cross-linking of collagen fibers that give skin and connective tissue tensile strength. It requires vitamin C, iron, copper, and protein, and is central to wound closure and tissue repair.

The process by which cells divide and increase in number to replace lost tissue. It demands energy, amino acids, folate, and zinc, and is regulated by growth factors and signaling pathways.

The formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, delivering oxygen and nutrients to regenerating tissue. It is essential for wound repair and is influenced by protein status, iron, and growth factors.

An imbalance in which reactive oxygen species overwhelm antioxidant defenses, damaging cells and impairing repair. It is implicated in delayed wound healing, chronic disease, and accelerated aging.

A deficiency of both protein and energy that impairs growth, immunity, and tissue repair. It increases infection risk, delays wound healing, and worsens outcomes after surgery or illness.